Religious Studies

The history evidences: the Local Churches that were historically associated with earthly empires were uninterested in the canonical establishment of local churches under their jurisdictions, and therefore usually granted autocephaly to churches only under the pressure of historic circumstances. No exception is the Moscow Patriarchate, which has incorporated the Orthodox Church in Ukraine since 1686.

Ukrainian Orthodoxy and Ukrainian society suffer from division. The majority of Ukrainian Orthodox believers belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. The rest of the Orthodox community of Ukraine has chosen a different path of self-proclaimed autocephaly. However, neither the first nor the second path is optimal for the Orthodox Church in Ukraine to date.

All-Ukrainian Council of Churches encourages faithful to defend their homeland

On February 10 All-Ukrainian Councilof Churches and religious organizations issued a statement encouraging Ukrainians of different religions and denominations to support and defend thier homeland.

Appeal Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations On the Duty to Aid in Protecting the Homeland

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Compatriots!

For the first time since the restoration of independence, Ukraine is facing both the threat of external danger and special internal challenges.

International law and moral principles are violated in an attempt to forcibly prevent Ukrainians from independently determining their own destiny. Great efforts are being made in an attempt to destroy the sovereignty and integrity of our country.

As heads and representatives of the churches and religious organizations of Ukraine, we will make every effort and do everything in our power to stop the bloodshed, establish lasting peace, and overcome hostility between people and nations. However, we also recognize the right of people to defend themselves and that a state of aggression has been created by those who illegally took up arms with evil intent to sow death, sorrow, and tears on the Ukrainian soil of the Donbass.

We therefore call on all faithful, in accordance with their religious beliefs and opportunities, to participate in the defense of the Motherland. For the common victory, let one go to war, and let another work as a military chaplain, a hospital volunteer, or by supporting the military families, the affected civilians of Donbass, and the internally displayed persons (IDPs).

We ask you to unite voices and call on all politicians and government leaders to put aside all disagreements and combine efforts to protect the homeland, to fight our greatest domestic evil - corruption, and to implement the economic and political reforms required for the benefit of the Ukrainian people. In the past, our people have time and again been defeated because our leaders quarreled among themselves to compete for power and authority while foreign aggression continued. We must today remember these lessons of history and not repeat our past mistakes.

To overcome aggression and establish a just peace in Ukraine, we must unite the efforts of society, all branches of government, political parties, and civil organizations. We encourage all believers, churches, and religious organizations to work together in defense of the homeland and in aid of the defenders of the Motherland and the civilian victims of the Donbass. For the sake of freedom and their future, not one of us should stay out of the fight for peace, independence, and freedom of our country.

Believers all, we continue to encourage prayer for peace in the state, an end to bloodshed, and the victory of truth, justice, and freedom. We especially fervently pray for those risking their lives as defenders of Ukraine. We pray that with God's help, peace, understanding, and prosperity will return to the Ukrainian land.

May the blessings of the Almighty be upon those who defend Ukraine, those who seek peace, and those fighting for the truth.

On behalf of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations,

Filaret, Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine, AUCCRO Presiding Chair